News from Good News Ministries:
- Remaining Peaceful in Frustrating Moments
- News From the Founder
- New video: Watch for Unexpected Doors to Open
- Plus great links to great content!
Remaining Peaceful in Frustrating Moments
I’m writing this aboard a 737 Max-8 aircraft en route to the Pentecost Today, Holy Spirit 2026 National Retreat. I was planning on writing this article while in the air; however, something that happened while in the airport changed the topic of this article because Satan wanted to disrupt my peace. But most importantly, I recognized it, and I didn’t let him get the best of me.
One of my duties as a communications professional is to help with the filming and livestreaming at this conference. Over the past 36 hours, I’ve been packing gear and making sure I had everything I needed. Most of my gear has small lithium batteries that can’t go under the plane, and the equipment is delicate. I don’t like it tossed around by baggage handlers. So I got a bag that I thought fit in the overhead; I looked up the dimensions, measured my luggage, and packed it.
However, when I arrived at the gate, an agent said he wanted to measure the bag because it looked large. When he measured it, the bag didn’t fit in the box – it was two millimeters too big. I explained that I needed this for work, and I have batteries in devices that I can’t put under the plane. He told me that he couldn’t make an exception and that I would need to open it up, take all the batteries out of the devices, and put them in my backpack if I wanted to fly.
For a bag that was meticulously packed, I now had five minutes to unpack it, identify the batteries, make it safe for underneath the plane, and repack it. I was frustrated and completely discombobulated. But I complied, didn’t make a scene, and asked the agent to help me to identify what items had to be removed. After I sat back down and vented a bit to my wife via text, the following thought crossed my mind: “Think about where you are going, what you are doing, and remember that you went to confession this morning. Don’t let Satan take your peace away over something as silly as a large bag.”
So I took a deep breath, got myself a bottle of water, and boarded the plane. As I sit here, thanking the Lord for helping me remain calm in the face of frustrations, I hope my situation reminds you to guard your peace. Satan will challenge it, but don’t allow him to take it.
We have great resources to help you find and maintain a peace that surpasses human understanding. I encourage you to check out these video meditations without words. In closing, I ask you to please pray for me and all attendees of this national retreat this weekend; be assured of my prayers for you and your family. Come Holy Spirit!
News from the Founder:
When Things Go Awry, Is It God’s Plan?
It’s difficult to figure out what the Lord is doing when a health crisis and other problems interfere with what we thought He was calling us to do.
Over the past couple of years, I’ve had three surgeries in my back. Last year, I had a hip replaced. I was also grieving the passing of my husband. And I’d been my mother’s sole caregiver for several years. I did not have the physical energy nor emotional nor creative energy to do anything with my ministry.
I went through a fairly lengthy discernment process where I assumed that, even if the devil was involved, God allowed it for a reason. Then I went from there to assuming that God is in charge of the timing, and therefore, He really wanted me to focus on my health. I really couldn’t do anything else.
Meet Lisa M. Hendey
Recently the special guest on my podcast show was Lisa Hendey, founder of CatholicMom.com and author of The Grace of Yes. We chatted about how discerning God’s will sometimes means letting go of our own agenda, focusing on what God is asking of us at the moment, and being willing to alter course when an unexpected door opens.
If you’re in a season where God’s plan seems confusing, delayed, or completely different from what you expected, this episode will encourage you to trust Him on the winding road.
We’ve Got a New Video for You!
Watch for Unexpected Doors to Open
Discerning God’s will isn’t always about knowing the entire path in advance. In this podcast episode, Terry Modica talks with Lisa Hendey, founder of CatholicMom.com, about how she learned to focus on what God is asking of her right now, while remaining open to unexpected opportunities.
Lisa shares how her health journey changed the way she ministers to others, how prayer helped her recognize unexpected opportunities, and why sometimes letting go of something we have built can actually be an answer to prayer.
Good News Prayer Room:
Use our collection of Catholic prayers designed with your needs in mind. They will give you hope and a stronger connection to God’s love and support. What do you need prayers for today?
Visit gnm.org/prayers.
Post your prayer requests @ gnm.org/post-a-prayer.
Good News WordBytes:
WANT MORE FAITH and HOPE in TROUBLED TIMES? WE’RE HERE for YOU! Choose from a variety of topics on our website of Catholic Faith-building articles. What do you need today?
Visit wordbytes.org.
God bless you!
Every morning, I lift up in prayer everyone who helps Good News Ministries in any way (donors, volunteers, prayer supporters, etc.) and all the prayer requests posted on our site. What can I cover in prayer for you? Post your prayer request.
How else can the team and I serve you today? Visit our homepage.
Thank you for reading this newsletter.
Your servant in Christ,
Bill Snyder, Executive Director
Good News Ministries
gnm.org
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How to Win Victories in Spiritual Warfare
Knowing God’s Will and Doing it Well
Lessons from the Blessed Mother
Daily Prayers with the Saints